The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Board has today announced with regret that after 12 months as CEO of NACCHO ,Ms Donna Ah Chee will be for family reasons returning in May 2012 to Alice Springs.

Mr Justin Mohamed, Chair of NACCHO said, “Ms Ah Chee in only 12 months has reshaped the future strategic direction and financial security of NACCHO and will leave the organisation in a very strong position to develop and make a major contribution Aboriginal health going forward ”

“As a result Ms. Ah Chee’s tireless efforts the NACCHO board has endorsed many key policy directions that I think are very important for Aboriginal health. The budget is back in the black and the business plan has been developed in accordance with the Board’s strategic plan and is now being implemented.

“The NACCHO secretariat is also much better resourced with new senior policy positions and a Public Health Medical Officer position and over $2 million of funding for the critical governance project secured.

NACCHO has also signed off on the national KPIs and will be given very substantial resources to be able to lead the development of these indicators in our sector.

Ms Ah Chee was responsible for developing stronger and positive working relationship with the Affiliates, members, stakeholders, Government Departments and relevant ministers” Mr Mohamed said.

In summarising her 12 months as CEO of NACCHO and her decision to return to Congress in Alice Springs a member organisation Ms Ah Chee said “In my time with NACCHO I have become more convinced about the importance of making services and programs work on the ground in Aboriginal community controlled health services in terms of shaping the national policy agenda.

“It is a honour to have worked with such a dedicated board, secretariat staff and members organisations but I leave knowing I have contributed to developing NACCHO as a dynamic organisation making a major contribution to improving Aboriginal health” Ms Ah Chee said